Fence border

ABSTRACT

A construction for bordering a lower edge of a fence, so to eliminate the need of trimming grass under a fence or passage of animals under the fence, the construction comprising a one piece continuous plastic or rubber device that fits between the bottom edge of the fence and the grass or ground, the device consisting of a pair of side by side panels interconnected by a spreadable accordeon pleat element so that the panels can be spread apart, and so that the lower edge of the fence can be force fitted between the upper portions of the panels, thus securing the border in utility position.

United States Patent Cowles et al.

[ Oct. 30, 1973 FENCE BGRDER [22] Filed: Jan. 26, 1972 [21] Appl. No.:220,732

[52] US. Cl. 256/1, 256/32 [51] Int. Cl E0411 17/06 [58] Field of Search256/1, 19, 32, 34;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,384,351 5/1968 Turner256/32 2,713,751 7/1955 l-lendrixson 47/32 3,277,606 10/1966 Cohen 47/333,545,127 12/1970 Jensen 256/32 3,676,952 7/1972 Watts 47/33 PrimaryExaminer-Dennis L. Taylor Attorney-Tommie M. Cowles [57] ABSTRACT Aconstruction for bordering a lower edge of a fence, so to eliminate theneed of trimming grass under a fence or passage of animals under thefence, the construction comprising a one piece continuous plastic orrubber device that fits between the bottom edge of the fence and thegrass or ground, the device consisting of a pair of side by side panelsinterconnected by a spreadable accordeon pleat element so that thepanels can be spread apart, and so that the lower edge of the fence canbe force fitted between the upper portions of the panels, thus securingthe border in utility position.

1 Claim, 3 Drawing Figures 0'0 0 WW o 0 9m to,

FENCE BORDER This invention relates generally to fence accessories. Morespecifically it relates to fence trim.

It is generally well known to most home owners that the growth of grassbeneath a fence necessitates the laborous and time-consuming task oftrimming by hand if a neat lawn manicure is desired. This situation is,of course, objectionable and therefore in want of improvement.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention toprovide a border for placement under a fence for eliminating thenecessity of trimming grass under a fence.

Another object is to provide a border which gives a neat and finishedappearance to a fence.

Yet another object is to provide a border which prevents passage ofrodents or other animals under a fence.

Yet a further object is to provide a fence border which eliminates theuse of dangerous barbed wire under a fence so to retard animals frompassage under the fence.

Yet a further object is to provide a fence border which prevents thegrowth of grass within several inches of the fence, so that the lawn canbe cut by a lawn mower without need of getting too close to the fence,thus allowing the chore to be done quickly and attractively.

Other objects are to provide a fence border which is simple in design,inexpensive to manufacture, rugged in construction, easy to use, andefficient in operation.

These and other objects will be readily apparent upon a study of thefollowing specification and the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an end perspective view of the invention shown by phantomlines in a collapsed position, and shown by solid lines in an extendedposition.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view thereof shown installed under a fence.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged end view of the invention shown compared inrelaxed and flexed positions.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, the reference numeral representsa fence border according to the present invention, wherein there is aone piece unit made of flexible material such as plastic or rubber, andwhich is made by molding operation; the device consisting of elongatedflat panels 11 in parallel side by side position. and which areinterconnected by spreadable accordion pleat 12 of cross-sectionalV-shape integrally molded together. The panels may be of any practicallength and height. The pleat is enjoined to the panels at approximatelyone and one-half inches from the top edge of each panel, the pleat beingcontinuous and of a same length as the panels or alternately comprisedof small intermittent sections. The cross-sectional dimension of thepleat is such that the panels can be spread apart approximatelythree-quarter of an inch. The unit may be made in any color such asgreen. brown, or the like.

In use, as shown in FlG. 3, the border 10 is inserted on the bottom endof a fence 13 (which may be of any type such as wood, woven wire or thelike), by spreading apart the panels to form the fence receiving pocket14 above the pleat. The lower part of the border is then spread out asshown by dotted lines in FIG. 3 so to bear against the top of theground, thus clamping the upper part with pressure against the fencesides. The spread out lower part of the border prevents growth of grassclose to the fence so that mowing is made easier. The force against theground surface prevents animals from lifting the device so they cannotpass under the fence.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it isunderstood that such changes will be within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention as is defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a fence border, the combination ofa pair of panels in spaced sideby side relation, and interconnecting means between said panels, so toform a unit insertable under a bottom edge of a fence to form a barrieragainst animal passage under said fence, and prevent grass growththerebeneath, said means comprising a V- shaped, spreadable accordionpleat, said panels and pleat being integrally formed together and madeof flexible material such as resilient plastic or rubber, said pleatbeing enjoined to said panels along transverse intermediate portions ofeach said panel so that said intermediate portion serves as a fulcrumabout which each side panel pivots whereby when the lower portions ofsaid panels, below said intermediate portions, are spread apart, theupper portions, above said intermediate portions, are urged toward eachother, so that when said fence border is installed under said fence withthe fence bottom edge being fitted in a space between the upper portionsof said panels, and the lower portions of said panels being sidewardlyflexed apart and rested on a ground surface, said panels pivoting aboutsaid accordian pleat so that said upper portions of the panels are urgedtoward each other so to bear against opposite sides of said fence for atight fit.

1. In a fence border, the combination of a pair of panels in spaced sideby side relation, and interconnecting means between said panels, so toform a unit insertable under a bottom edge of a fence to form a barrieragainst animal passage under said fence, and prevent grass growththerebeneath, said means comprising a V-shaped, spreadable accordionpleat, said panels and pleat being integrally formed together and madeof flexible material such as resilient plastic or rubber, said pleatbeing enjoined to said panels along transverse intermediate portions ofeach said panel so that said intermediate portion serves as a fulcrumabout which each side panel pivots whereby when the lower portions ofsaid panels, below said intermediate portions, are spread apart, theupper portions, above said intermediate portions, are urged toward eachother, so that when said fence border is installed under said fence withthe fence bottom edge being fitted in a space between the upper portionsof said panels, and the lower portions of said panels being sidewardlyflexed apart and rested on a ground surface, said panels pivoting aboutsaid accordian pleat so that said upper portions of the panels are urgedtoward each other so to bear against opposite sides of said fence for atight fit.